Dear Pipers,
2 summers ago I came back from a summer holiday in a Crete with a lovely double chanter askomandoura (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Askomandoura), which is a bagpipe also known in some other country as tsambouna.
I’ve tried to find some basic playing instruction everywhere, but had no success.
Has someone some suggestion about it?
many thanks
Alaricus
Do you already play other type(s) of mouth-blown bagpipes? The techniques of breathing and bag pressure should be similar.
You could try to find a Greek community in your surroundings (wherever that might be) - if you’re lucky, they might help you make contact to someone who plays this instrument.
I have no idea what the exact difference is between askomandoura and tsambouna (if there is any) but the latter seems to be more popular if I’m not mistaken.
Also, a Turkish tulum player might be helpful - the instruments are at least similar.
This facebook group might also be helpful: https://www.facebook.com/groups/doublechanters/
In 2015 I recorded a talk with Juliann Goodacre and Calum Armstrong about Juliann’s double chanter. Calum demonstrates the chanter. This might help. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmwmIogICCg&t=273s
Good luck!
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though I’m stumbling upon this 5 years later, OP, have you had any success finding someone to show you the ropes on your askomandoura?
I am based in NY and I do play tsambouna, though it’s the 5/1 configuration, it’s basically the same thing - it’s such a primitive instrument but it’s not the easiest if you aren’t accustomed to the music/dances/tradition . I’d be glad to help if you still need; there are several players in North America that play tsabouna/askomandoura/mandoura and dozens of gaida players.
I know this is an old thread but I see that patmoss99 chimed in recently. I play a few different types of pipes and have recently acquired an Askomandoura. I definitely have some questions and could use a bit of help.